NHAI Toll New Update: Toll Charges Slashed by 70% During Highway Expansion, Big Relief for Vehicle Owners
NHAI Toll New Update: Toll Charges Slashed by 70% During Highway Expansion, Big Relief for Vehicle Owners
Under the new NHAI rule, motorists will pay only 30% toll on two-lane national highways while widening work is in progress
In a major relief for vehicle owners across the country, the government has announced a 70 percent reduction in toll charges on two-lane national highways that are under construction or being upgraded. This means motorists will now have to pay only 30 percent of the regular toll amount during the period of road expansion.
The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has amended the National Highway Fee Rules, 2008, bringing this important change. The rule applies to national highways where two-lane roads, including paved shoulders, are being widened into four lanes or more. Earlier, full toll was charged even when construction work was going on, causing dissatisfaction among commuters.
As per the new rule, from the date construction begins until the project is completed, vehicles passing through these stretches will get a direct 70 percent discount on toll charges. This is being seen as a fair move since construction zones usually slow down traffic and reduce driving comfort.
Officials clarified that the discount will apply to both existing and newly approved national highway projects where two-lane roads are being converted into wider highways. The government has already issued a notification to implement the revised toll structure.
It is also important to note that toll charges on national highways usually increase by 7 to 10 percent every year. However, under this new arrangement, motorists will get substantial financial relief during the construction phase.
For highways that are already four lanes and are being expanded to six or eight lanes, toll concession will be limited to 25 percent. In such cases, vehicle owners will have to pay 75 percent of the original toll amount. This means a 25 percent discount will be applicable during the upgrade period.
Another existing rule remains unchanged. Once the full cost of construction of a toll road is recovered, only 40 percent of the toll can be charged from motorists. This ensures that toll collection remains fair even after the project expenses are covered.
According to government data, around 25,000 to 30,000 kilometres of two-lane national highways across India are planned to be upgraded into four-lane roads. For this massive infrastructure expansion, an investment of nearly ₹10 lakh crore is being made.
Officials also revealed that freight transport currently accounts for about 40 percent of traffic on national highways. The target is to increase this share to 80 percent. With wider roads and better connectivity, the average speed of commercial vehicles is expected to rise from 30–35 kmph to much higher levels, improving logistics efficiency and reducing travel time.
The new toll rule is expected to benefit millions of daily commuters, transporters, and long-distance travellers. Paying only 30 percent toll during construction will reduce travel costs and make highway journeys more economical during expansion work.
This decision reflects a shift towards a more commuter-friendly approach, acknowledging the inconvenience faced during highway construction and ensuring people are not burdened with full toll charges for incomplete infrastructure.
